Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/291

Rh 21st.—In pursuance of the last mentioned advice, we have been breakfasting to-day at Tacubaya, with the Minister and his family, and enjoying ourselves there in Madame 's garden. We have also just returned from the Marquesa de 's, where we had a pleasant evening, and met General Paredes, whom I like very much; a real soldier, thin, plain, blunt, and all hacked with wounds.

23d.—Cn has been dining at the Minister's, where he met all the great actors in the present drama, and had an agreeable party. We are now thinking of making our escape from this hotel, and of taking a horseback journey into Michoacan, which shall occupy a month or six weeks. Meantime I am visiting, with the Señorita, every hospital, jail, college and madhouse in Mexico!

26th.—To-day they are celebrating their independence. All the bells in all the churches, beginning with the cathedral, are pealing—cannon firing—rockets rushing up into the air—Santa Anna in the Alameda, speechifying—troops galloping—little boys running—Te Deum chanting—crowds of men and women jostling each other—the streets covered with carriages, the balconies covered with people—the Paséo expected to be crowded. I have escaped to a quiet room, where I am trying to find time to make up my letters before the packet goes. I conclude this just as the Dictator, with his brilliant staff, has driven off to Tacubaya.